Refrigerator construction



July 21, 1936. P. CROSLEY. JR., El Al.

REFRIGERATOR CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 19, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS. 56 PM ATTORNEYS.

y P. CROSLEY. JR" ET AL 2,047,995

REFRIGERATOR CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 19, 1954' e Sheet-Sheet s m. :mwvwuflwwpwww w wm INVENTORS,

we Y M. ATTORNEYS.

July 1936- P. CROSLEY. JR., ET AL 2,047,996

REFRIGERATOR CONSTRUC TION INVEA TORS.

BY WM ATTORNEYS.

y 1936- P. CROSLEY. JR-. El AL 2,047,996

REFRIGERATOR CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 19, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS.

ATTORNEYS.

Y 1936- P. cRosLEY. JR. El AL 2,047,995

REFRIGERATOR CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 19, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORS.

ATTORNEYS- Patented .iuly 21, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE REFRIGERATOR CONSTRUCTION bio Application January 19, 1934, Serial No. 707,370

7 Claims. (Cl. 312-173) Our invention relates to refrigerator cabinets used in mechanical refrigeration and relates to structural features providing for additional storage, more convenient operation and other structural advantages of convenience and appearance.

In order to provide for a convenient height to the lower shelves of refrigerator cabinets, it has been the practice to place the cabinet upon legs of suflicient height, thus leaving a space below the said cabinet. In some constructions this space is utilized for housing the compressor elements for mechanical refrigeration. In some constructions also, the cabinet has been extended above the refrigeration compartment to provide a compartment above it, in which are housed the compressor elements aforesaid.

According to our invention, we employ a cabinet with a door which in addition to enclosing the open front of the refrigeration compartment, also forms a closure for an additional compartment, which will be located preferably at the space between the fioor and the bottom of the refrigerator compartment, rather than a space above the said refrigerator compartment. Also it is part of our invention to extend the door beyond the refrigeration compartment at the opposite side from the additional compartment for which the door forms a closure, so as to provide an extension for the door within which may be housed a tiltable shelf or the like, serving as a supporting tray in the use of the refrigerator.

Furthermore, we may utilize the door as a compartment forming member in portions thereof which serve to close the refrigeration compartment, as has heretofore been suggested, which compartment together with the tiltable shelf or tray provides a convenient way of supporting articles when shifting them about in the refrigeration compartment or in the door compartment or between the twocompartments.

Also in connection with the additional compartment, which our invention provides will be closed by the same door as the main compartment, we propose to enclose this compartment except for the said door opening thereby enablingus to maintain in this additional compartment some degrees lower temperature than the room tem that the details described other than as they are incorporated in said claims together with their mechanical equivalents, should be considered as of the essence of our invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front view of a refrigerator embodying our invention in its preferred form.

Figure 2 is a vertical front-to-rear section of the same.

Figure 3 is a partial similar section of the upper part of the door only, with the support lowered for use.

Figure 4 is a sectional plan, the door being in section on the line 4-4 of Figure 3, showing the support as in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a partial inside elevation of the door, and of the support, as in Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a detail perspective view of the receptacle preferably used on the lower part of the door as seen in Figure 2. 2

Figure 7 is a partial section of the upper part of the door and adjacent part of the cabinet, showing a modification in which the support is mounted on the cabinet.

Figure 8 is a detail perspective view of the support used in the example of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a sectional plan of a portion of the cabinet and a portion of the door, the door being open, showing a modification in which means is provided for automatically moving the support from one of its positions to the other.

Figure 10 is a partial vertical section on the line Iii-l0 of Figure 9.

Figures 11 and 12 are views similar to Figure 2, showing modifications.

In Figures 1 to 6, inclusive, the cabinet I has the insulated back and side walls 2 and 3, respectively, the insulated bottom 4, and the front wall 5 with an opening to the main compartment 6 as well known in the art. Also, as is well known, the upper part of the cabinet in which the compressor 6a is contained is made with continuous side and front non-insulated walls I and 8 respectively, and the non-insulated removable top I 0. The bottom I I of this upper portion or compartment of the cabinet is insulated and below this bottom II, in the upper part of the compartment 6, is the evaporator 617, from which there is circulation of air cooled by this evaporator apparatus 6b downward in the compartment 6 for cooling articles stored therein on shelves 6c.

We prefer to omit the usual legs of the cabinet and instead provide below the compartment 6, an additional compartment, which usually will be a few degrees cooler than the surrounding 'usual manner.

room, being suitable for storage of articles that are not so perishable as those usually stored in the main, effectively cooled compartment 31. As here shown, this lower compartment is provided by connecting to the usual outer metal shell of the main part of the cabinet I, a shell i2 of box like-shape, open at its bottom and also at .its front; and on the bottom of this shell I2 is secured an additional shaliowbase shell 13, also open at top and bottom but having its four sides continuous. It may have short feet l4.

The door l5, intermediate of its end portions, is similar to refrigerator doors known in the art;

being made up of metal sheets formed to desired shape and secured to interior frame structure preferably of wood, made up of a top piece'lt, a bottom piece {1, and side pieces l8. Additional filling pieces; preferably of wood, as at l9 and 20, support inwardly distended parts 2| of the door inner shell plate, which lap inside the cabinet front opening, and fitted with breaker strips, in a usual manner. These parts, however, are so formed as to provide a recess in the-interior of the door, in which is removably mounted article storage support means 22, according to the patent and the application hereinafter mentioned. As here shown, this support has shelves 23, and is made as a unit and hung on hooks 24 within the recess, according to the patent to West, Reissue No. 19,008, the application of Crosley and Austin, Ser. No. 668,091 filed Apr. 26, 1933, to which reference is hereby made.

The door has its structure continued upwardly a substantial distance, as well as downwardly a substantial distance, above and below the front opening of main compartment 6 which it closes. The extended side frame pieces l8 of the door support, at their upper and lower ends, transverse frame pieces 25, preferably of wood, which outwardly have the desired curvature to support the front metal shell plate, with thin-edged formation imparting the desired pleasing appearance to the front of the refrigerator. These transverse pieces 25 have rabbets 29 and 30 respectively, in their inner edges, and the outer metal door plate is flanged around and set into the thin outer edges of these pieces, as at 2B, in a Thus constructed, the door has at the top and at the bottom, the recesses 21 and 28, respectively, left within the extended frame elements and augmented by the rabbeting.

As an article support to be used on the upper extension of the door, we prefer to provide a rack in the form of round wire bent into a U-shape, wide in proportionto the depth of the U. The bottom member 3| of the U-shape hasyat its middle a U-shaped bend 32 extending at right angles to the side members 33 of the U-shape. Metal strips are bent to form hinge loops 34 which embrace the bottom member 3| at opposite-sides of the bend or extension 32 thereof and are fastened, as by screws, to the bottom of the recess 21; and when the rack is swung down on these hinges, it extends out of this recess for a considerable distance as seen in Figs. 3 and 4, and the middle extension or bend 32 then stands upright. Also fixed to the bottom of the recess 21,

i as by screws, is a resilient detent element 35, so

shaped and in such position that when the brack-.

et member is swung up on its hinges 34 to a vertical position within the recess 21, the bend or extension 32 forces this detent element inwardly of the recess, to snap over the extension 32 and hold the bracket in this raised position. The bracket has on its side members 33 lateral extensions 33, preferably by welding L-shaped wires to the members; and two chains 31 are provided, each with its lower end connected to the outer end of a respective one, of these extensions 33 and its other end connected to upper parts of the inner faces of the adjacent door frame pieces l3. These chains are flexible, and when the bracket folds upwardly, drop within the side portions of the recess 21; and when the bracket is extended, they support it in substantially horizontal position. The outer end portions of the side members 33 of the bracket, at 33, are flared or bent laterally outwardly.

To be removably mounted on the bracket just described, we prefer to provide a tray 39, of pressed sheet metal, with a low upturned rim 40, and, adlacent opposite ends, which will be laterally positioned when the tray is on the bracket, hand holes 4|, preferably having their edges 42 slightly turned up to afford the desired smoothness. On its bottom, this tray 39 has Z-shaped metal strips 43 with their lower members spaced down from the tray bottom surface and extending outwardly; being so located that they will receive the respective, side members 33 of the bracket with a snug sliding fit, for the tray to be slid in onto the bracket and held without rattling, The outward bending of the bracket side members at 38, facilitates the starting of this application of the tray to the bracket.

It will be seen that, with the door open and the bracket, with the tray thereon, lowered, any articles which it is desired may be temporarily supported while rearranging or gaining access to other articles, either within the main compartment 6 or upon the support that is on the intermediate part of the door, such as the means 22, may be readily placed on the tray or removed therefrom. Upon closing the bracket and tray upwardly, the tray 39 is accommodated in the inner portion of the recess 21, with the bracket entirely within the recess, permitting the door to be closed; whereupon the bracket and tray are concealed by the door upward extension, between the latter and the front of the upper portion of the cabinet. This upper extension of the door then presents the appearance of closing a compartment opening that extends close to the top of the cabinet.

At the bottom of the refrigerator, within the structure made up of the shells l2 and I3 as before described, we prefer to provide a receptacle or. bin 44, having a front 45 and bottom 45 joined by a curve of ample radius, and sides 41 of generally triangular shape having their upper edges extending straight from the top corners of the front 45 to the rear corners of the bottom 46; so that the bin may be described as scoop-shaped. At its front a flange 48 extends forward along the top edge and is fixed to the lower flanged edge 49 of the front opening of the shell l2; and at its rear, a flange 50 extends up from its edge and is fixed to the rear wall of this shell 12, at such a height that the bin as a whole has a forwardly and downwardly inclined posture in the base structure of the refrigerator and is readily accessible for placing articles therein or removing articles therefrom throughthefront opening of the shell l2. In this position, and of the depth preferred, the bottommost part of the bin 44 the downward extension of the door; and in the recess 28 of this extension a basket like receptacle i is supported, extending in from the extension and occupying the front portion of the base interior by entrance through the front opening of the shell II when the door is closed. This receptaclepreferably is formed of an upper loop of wire 52 and a like lower loop 53, the two joined by vertical slat wires 54 at the ends and front. Similar slat wires 55 join the front and rear members of the bottom loop 53, forming a hotentire width of the spaeein the base, which may contain at one side, in certain refrigerator constructions, part of the refrigerating apparatus. These receptacles however are here shown as extending the full width; it being understood that it is not essential that part of the refrigerating mechanism be contained in the base.

Inasmuch as refrigeration involves evaporation within the food compartment, fresh vegetables and fruits, particularly those of an excessively porous nature or those having a very porous covering, could be thus refrigerated only at the sacrifice of the water content thereof resulting in deteriorationand reduced food value and probable "monetary loss as well, =unless the same were kept in enclosed vessels within the compartment. These loweii receptacles serve for storage of. such articles. I

awhile afiording these added advantages in a refrigerator andincreasing its capacity; the extension of the door down near to the bottom ofthe cabinet base aifordsthe appearance, at the front of the refrigeratonwhenthe door is closed,

of one in which 'asingle' compartment extends into the base.-

The best effect is attained withsuch provision at both the top and bottom, simplifying and improving the ornamental design in keeping with modern ideas of design. It will be understood that the wire structure,- such as the basket like receptacle, the bracket, and the fittings for these, are preferably tinned; and'that the tray used at the top, as well as the interior portions of the door involved in our improvement, may be enameled as are other portions of the refrigerator, as well known in the art.

In Fig. 7, we show a modification of our invention in which the article support, instead of being mounted on the upper door extension, is

ample; being made up, as best seen in Fig. 8, of

a wire loop 51 forming a rectangular frame, with longitudinal slats 58 having their ends welded to the end members of the frame; the loop wire being preferablyround and the slats beingv Instead of having an extension outward to engage a detent, this frame is formed with, an inward extension 59 by bending the wire inward at port carried in it, makes room for the support one side. Hinges I bolted to the sheet metal front wall 80 of the cabinet receive the lateral portions of the frame side, at each side of the extension 59; so that the support thus formed is adapted to be swung up or down. When up close 6 to the wall 9a, the extension 53 engages with a resilient detent 6|, also bolted to the wall 3a; this being its position as shown in Fig. 7. Chains 52 are connected to side'extensions 53 of the frame and to bolted connections 84 on the wall 90, limiting the lowering-of the support, as will be understood from the illustration and description of the bracket in the first example. The door extension recess 21, instead of having the sup- 15 that is mounted on the cabinet wall, when the door is closed and the support folded up to the wall.

In the example of Figs. 9 and 10, the support is mounted on the upper door extension, as in the 20 first example, and comprises the bracket, with its 7 side members 33 and its bottom or cross member 3|, understood to be made with an extension to engage a detent, not shown, as in the first example, and to receive a tray, not shown, as in that 25 example. It has the side extensions 35 connected by chains to the door side frame members l8, as in the first example. We have added, in this modification, means to cause the support to swing up within the recess 21' of the door extension automatically incident to the movement of the door relative to the cabinet, in closing; and to drop down, after automatic release from the detent, incident to opening movement of the door.

As here shown, this provision comprises a bent 35 rod or wire 65, having at one end a loop or eye by which it is connected to a hinge member 66 fixed on the side of the front wall 5 far enough out of alinement with the hinges 51 of the door to impose a crank-l ke operation upon this rod 65, were it considered that the cabinet swung around on the door; the eifectbeing the same when the door is swung on the cabinet. The hinge member or. pivot 66 being located oifsideand inward from the line of the hinges 61, the effect is, when the door is closed, to cause the rod 65 to move endwise relatively to the door, toward the middle of the door. In so doing, a hump 68 formed by bending the rod 65 near its free end, which'is inclined upward y and forwardly as seen in Fig. 10, is forced under the side member 33 of the support, swinging the support upwardly until, when the side member 33 has ridden'onto the top portion 59 of this hump, the support is fully swung up into the recess 21 of the door extension; and it will be understood that its extension then will engage the detent, not shown, and the support will be held in raised position.

When the door is opened, the relative movement of the wire or rod is in the opposite direction, that is, toward the side of the door.

has a groove Ii to accommodate this rod or wire 65 within the inner face of the door, so that it does not interfere with the closing of the door.

It will be seen that this automatic closing provision makes the device much more convenient to operate, andavoids chance of damagingthe parts should a person close the door without first raising the support, as might occur in the first' example. However, we find that the apparatus is quite practical without the automatic provision; and it will be understood that we may construct our invention either with or without this provision, according to conditions that are to be met. In Figure 11 we have shown a modification in which the storage compartment with the bin M is placed at the top and the compartment for the} compressor to is placed at the bottom; In this modification also the door is provided with the basket ii at the top and with the shelf or tray 39 at the bottom of the cabinet. Otherwise the: construction of the cabinet is substantially the same as that shownin Figure 2, the modifications co'nsisting merely in the change of location of-the In the modification shown in Figure 12, the

construction is like that of Figure 2, except that instead of having a rack hinged to the; inner side of the upward extension of the door, on which a tray is removably mounted, the hinged structure is complete in itself, as a shelf. On

the bottom of the recess 21 are hinge clips a, each with' a longer lower part screwed to the bottom of the recess and a shorter upper part curving upward. from the inner'end of; the longer lower part and extending outwardwith 'a' slight downward and upward bend. The shelf is-madeup of a rectangular loop orframe l3a off-heavy round wire, with slats 43b of iighterfiat wire extending transversely and having their ends weld ed to the side members of the loop 43a. The

, lower side member of this loop or frame this the doorframe within the rabbet 2 9; the clip "35a having an outwardly extended part curved'to 're-,

ceive and hold the shelf in its raised position, yet

readily release it when it is pulled downward;

Other modifications may occur, and we do not wish to be understood as being limited to the precise disclosures herein; but what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A refrigerator cabinet comprising a tier of compartments, one of which is insulated ex clude heat therefrom, a door extendingf'gnbstanzl tially the full height of said tier, having min-gsulated portion closing said refrigerated mpms ment tightly, and an extension covering at least one of said other compartments without forming a tight closure therewith said extension of said door having a recess, and a pivotally mounted shelf occupying said recess when said door is closed.

2. A refrigerator cabinet comprising a plurality of compartments, one of which is insulated to exclude heat therefrom, a hinged door having a main insulated section for closing said insulated compartment and anextension lying in front of another compartment, a hinged shelf mounted on the inner face of said extension and normally held vertical, and an actuating device attached to said cabinet and operatively connected to said shelf whereby said shelf is automatically restored from horizontal position to vertical position when said door, is being closed.

3. In a refrigerator cabinet an insulated food recess to a horizontal position extending from said door, said pivoting means and said abutment membercoacting to prevent the swins ngoi said shelf downwardlypast said horizontal position, the engagement of said pivoting means and said rail being releasable by a horizontal pull whereby tray. i I

4. In a'refri'geratorca'binet an insulated food compartment having a dooriopen g therein, at leastone adjacent compartment, and a door havsaid shelf maybe readily detached-andusedas a 'ing an, insulated po tion closing the opening of said'foodcompartment and'forming a sealing ;closurethereabout, andat least one extension on said door'lyinzj'in front of an adjacent compartment'when' said door is closed; said extension having a recess therein and a shelf mounted on horizontal pivots and adapted when in upright position to be contained within said recess to permit closing of said door, and when said door is opened, adapted to assume a horizontal position andtof serve as a temporary support for articles.

5. ,In-areirigera'tor cabinet an insulated food- 'compartmenthavinga door opening therein, at leastoneafliacent compartment, and a door having an: insulated portion closing the opening of said is closed, said extension have -closinglof said door, and when said door is opened, adapted to assume a horizontal position and to serve as a temporary support for articles,;sald

shelf when in horizontal position being removable bodily to serve as a tray.

6.v In a refrigerator cabinet an insulated food compartment having an opening for a door therein adjacent storage compartment having an opening on the same side of said cabinet, ;and-an?E-adjacent motor compartment having a faceo the same side of said compartment, and

a' door having a main body lying beyond the front portion of said refrigerator cabinet, said door having an insulated portion lying in front of and forming a sealed closure to said food compartment, and additional portions covering said adjacent compartments, said additional portions lying in spaced relationship to the fronts of said adjacent compartments, said door having a substantially continuous outer surface and extending motor compartment bearing a shelf pivoted there- I to and parallel therewith when said door is closedbut movable to a horizontal position when said door is open, and said portion of said door lying in front of. said storage compartment having an article supporting means attached thereto, said -'S8-1d compartment and forming a sealing closure ereabout, and at least one extension on iyingl in mat of an adjacent compart- 40 partment tightly, and an extension extending in front of at least one of said other compartments,

said last mentioned compartment having an opening adapted to be covered by said extension on said door, said extension bearing a projecting means for supporting articles of food and adapted to extend into said last mentioned compartment 5 through said opening when said door is closed.

POWEL CROSLEY, JR. ROLAND H. MONEY. 

